A Brief History Of: Robert Mugabe

As the world condemns his oppressive regime, Robert Mugabe remains uncowed.

There are few more strife-torn countries than Zimbabwe under Robert Mugabe. Inflation has soared past 100,000%; as many as 8 in 10 are unemployed; and in the lead-up to a June 27 runoff election, Mugabe loyalists violently attacked opposition figures, while the 84-year-old President vowed that "only God" could remove him from power.

But it wasn't long ago that Mugabe was considered one of Africa's brightest postcolonial hopes. As recently as in 1994, Britain awarded him a knighthood. Mugabe was imprisoned from 1964 to 1975 for opposing white rule in the former British colony of Southern Rhodesia and later led its...